USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement and progress for nearly a century, Volume I > Part 31
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James Juvinall was born in Pilot township in 1835. He was the son of Andrew and Mary (James) Juvinall, who came to Vermilion County in 1827, in a prairie schooner, from Ohio. In the school where James Juvinall had his early training the seats were slabs laid on poles and there was a long writing desk made by laying a plank upon wooden pins driven into the wall. Mr. Juvi- nall always remembered how the Indians held meetings at the foot of the hill where they lived. He lived on the home farm until he was married in 1858 and then took one hundred and twenty acres in Blount township. Here he lived until 1892, when he moved to Danville and went into the implement busi- ness. He then went to Denmark, where he lived for a short time and then bought his farm, upon which he settled for the remainder of his life. He has always been an active worker in the Methodist church. John R. Smith was born where Fithian Station now stands. March 1, 1836. His father was William W. Smith, who came to Vermilion County from Ohio in 1830. John Smith was the fourth child of his parents and he lived at home until after the death of his father, when he went to live with his brother-in-law, Thomas Armstrong, who lived near Rossville. He went to the schools in the neighborhood and to this, he added a term at Danville and one at Knox College. He married Jose- phine Stewart, who was a daughter of Vermilion Co .- being born at Danville. She was the daughter of James Stewart, who came to Vermilion County from Connecticut. Mr. Smith ran a hotel in Rossville for three years, after which he had a grocery store for many years. He carried on this business for many years meanwhile building a large neat house on a part of the Stewart farm in which he had his home and to which he retired when his business career was at an end. Mrs. Smith died in 1885. In 1889 Mr. Smith married Mrs. Sarah J. Parlow, whose father was James Duncan. Mr. Smith was the father of five children, four sons and a daughter.
Seth Fairchild was born near Danville, Illinois, October 14, 1836, the son of Ormaband and Hannah (Wagnon) Fairchild. He was twenty-five years old when the war opened and he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Illinois and served to the time of discharge, September 5, 1864. He was in several engagements and otherwise suffered the hardships of war and when he came home he located in Danville. He was employed to carry the mail from Danville to East Lynne for two years, at the end of which time he moved to Potomac and carried the mail between that place and Danville for six years. He then bought himself a farm in Blount township, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. Mr. Fairchild married Miss Lyon in 1865 after his return from the army. They were the parents of seven children. Mr. Fairchild died on his farm, March 13, 1886.
William Cossairt was born near the city of Danville, July 5, 1836. His father was David Cossairt, who came with his father, who was a pioneer of Vermilion County. When William Cossairt found himself able he bought out the other heirs to the home place and there made his home for life. This farm is located on section 4, Middlefork township, and adjoins Potomac, making an ideal lo- cation for a home. Mr. Cossairt married Louisa 'A. Smith, whose father came
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from England. Miss Smith was born in Vermilion County, and here grew to womanhood. They were the parents of nine children, all but two of whom lived to have families of their own. Mr. Cossairt always commanded the respect and friendship of his neighbors and had their good will.
Robert A. Short was born in Vermilion County in September 14, 1836. His father was Thomas Short and his mother Nancy Ann (Lanham) Short. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Ver- milion County. John C. Short, the oldest of the family, was a very prominent citizen of Danville and the county up to the time of his removal to New York city. He did much for the development of the resources of Vermilion County, and but for misfortune would have remained in Danville and continued working for its progress. Alexander C. Short married the daughter of Dr. Hill and after living in Danville for some years, moved to Los Gatos, California.
Robert A. Short went to a country school until he was prepared to enter the Danville Seminary, from which he graduated in 1858. He first went into a drug store after he left school, where he remained twelve years. Then he established the firm of R. A. Short & Co., being the senior member. This firm handled the dry goods trade to profit up to the time Mr. Short retired in 1893. Since this time Mr. Short has been interested in real estate insur- ance and loan business, and with the exception of a residence in Evanston of a short time, he has been a continuous citizen of Vermilion County for seventy four years and the story of his life would be the story of the life of the county. Mr. Short married Miss Emily Murdock in 1838. They were the parents of six children, four of whom grew to maturity.
George S. Cole was born in Danville, January 25, 1836. His father was Peleg Cole, and was well known in the community for years. George Cole grew to manhood in Danville and in 1860 he married Elizabeth Waples, who herself was born in Vermilion County. She was the daughter of William Waples, an early settler of Vermilion County. George Cole enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry and served the full term of his enlistment.
When he returned he took up the business interests which had been his care before he went away. Mr. Cole made Danville his home for the remainder of his life. He was the father of three sons and one daughter. Two of his sons went west. His remaining son, Ralph is the popular and much esteemed coroner of Vermilion County at present.
Milton A. McDonald was born in Vermilion County, the son of Alexan- der and Catherine (Alexander) McDonald November II, 1826. Milton A. McDonald and his brothers and sisters went to school at Georgetown, where his father had moved for that purpose. Milton helped on the farm when not in school until he was about eighteen years old, when he began clerking in his father's drug store in Georgetown and from there he went to Pontiac, where Mr. McDonald had some land interests. Mr. Milton McDonald married Miss Jackson of Terre Haute, and they became the parents of a large family of children, only four or five of whom grew to manhood and woman- hood and had families of their own. In 1861 Milton McDonald came to Dan- ville and clerked in a dry goods store for a time. After a while he set up a
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hardware establishment of his own and he continued in this business until he went to Dakota.
John Brady was born in Danville township, February 1, 1837. He was a son of John Brady, who came to Vermilion County in the early days, and his was the common pioneer home, with the common pioneer hardships. His school was the common pioneer school and he had the privilege of the times. When the war broke out Mr. Brady enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry and served until the end of the term. Mr. Brady married Miss Mary Conlin and they were the parents of four children.
John Brewer was born in Danville, July 7, 1837. His father was William Brewer who came to Danville early in the thirties. He had the cabinetmaker's trade, and had the distinction of building the first frame house in Danville. Mr. Brewer was one of seven children, six of whom were boys. He lived at home until his father's death, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, and after his marriage moved on the farm upon which he spent his life. His first wife was Harriet Kester, who was born in Ohio, and has second wife was Sarah Oliver, who was born in Vermilion County. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Oliver, and was the mother of seven children. Mr. Brewer is one of the substantial citizens of his neighborhood.
F. M. Olehy was born May 3, 1837, in Danville township, the son of Dennis Olehy. He was one of a large family and was obliged to early help himself. He lived in his home neighborhood, but after his marriage he went to Warren County, Indiana, where he lived for some time. In 1868 he returned to Ver- milion County, Ill., and bought a farm on section 10, Danville township, where he made his home. Mr. Olehy married Miss Minerva J. Martin, in 1858, and they were the parents of four children.
Asa Ankrum was born at Yankee Point, March 10, 1837. His father was David Ankrum, and was an early settler of that part of the county. Asa helped his father to make a good farm, and when he was able to do for him- self, he did as well and had a home to be proud of. When he died he left a competence for his family. He was married in 1865 to Rhoda C. Mendenhall and they were the parents of ten children. Mr. Ankrum died in 1886.
Elisha C. Fithian was born November 8, 1837, in Danville, the son of Dr. Fithian. He was the youngest of three sons, and after going to school in his childhood began farming for himself on the farm where he now lives when he was seventeen years old. During his father's life this son superin- tended the work on this farm. Mr. Fithian married Miss Anna M. Hayes in 1865, and they had a family of five children. He has always been a stanch republican, having voted for Lincoln, being acquainted with him through meet- ing him at his father's house.
George Dillon was born in Georgetown January 6, 1837. His father was Kuke Dillon, and came to Vermilion County in 1830, from Ohio, making the journey in a six-horse team. George Dillon stayed at home until he was twenty-one, helping first his father, and when he died, his mother in the work of the farm. He then bought a farm near Georgetown, where he lived until the beginning of the Civil war. He was a member of Company D, Twenty- fifth Illinois Infantry, and was in many battles. June 7, 1864, he was wounded
1
HARRISON FAIRCHILD
MRS. H. FAIRCHILD
F. M. FAIRCHILD
GEORGE W. PRATHER
F. A. COLLISON
JOSIAHI SANDUSKY
S. P. LE NEVE
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
in the right arm and sent to the hospital, and the arm was taken off close to the shoulder, and in February, 1865, he was sent home. Mr. Dillon was a strong republican, and his party loved to honor him. He was first elected town clerk of Georgetown township, and later Vermilion County selected him as assessor and collector, and again and again as circuit clerk. This office he held for a dozen years. He held other offices from time to time. Mr. Dillon mar- ried Miss Desdemona Martin, herself a daughter of Vermilion County. She was born in Georgetown in 1841. She was the daughter of Henry Martin and Mary (Morgan) Martin, being the granddaughter of Achilles Morgan, a man active in the making of Vermilion County. They were the parents of six children who have grown to manhood and womanhood and married well and, like their parents and grandparents and yet another generation back, their great grandfather, are well esteemed citizens of Vermilion County.
Mr. J. L. Smith, who was born in Georgetown July 27, 1837, was an hon- ored pioneer son of Vermilion County. He was the son of Joseph Smith, who came to Vermilion County from Tennessee. J. L. Smith married Mary Ann Cook in 1861. She was born in Ohio. About this time Mr. Smith went into a pork packing house where he showed his capacity for work. This same energy and industry made him the success in all he undertook to do.
Almond N. LeNeve was born in Newell township March 9, 1837. He was a younger brother of Samuel P. LeNeve. He left Vermilion County for Champaign County in his twentieth year, and remained there until after his marriage. He married Miss Nancy J. Ford and they were the parents of eight children. He returned to Newell township, however, and spent the re- mainder of his life on the old home place. Mr. LeNeve and his family have always been reckoned among the leading citizens of the county.
Francis Asbury Collison, like his brother who has been mentioned, was born in Vermilion County. The date of his birth was June 25, 1837. His early life was very like that of his brother. He married Miss Nannie J. How- ard, in 1866. She was a daughter of Vermilion County, being born in Pilot township in 1846. She was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Martin) How- ard, who came to Vermilion County a pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Collison were the parents of nine children, all but two of whom lived to grow up. Mr. Collison had his start in land by inheritance from his father, but he has ac- cumulated land until he has more than his father died possessed of. He has dealt in stock to a great extent all his life and shipped in large numbers. While he had some assistance when he started in life, his results are more due to effort and energy than to anything else.
Josiah Sandusky was born in Carroll township September 11, 1837. He was the son of Abraham Sandusky. The two Sandusky brothers, Abraham and Isaac, had large families and named the children identical names so that the relationship is difficult to follow. Josiah Sandusky had his school train- ing in the subscription schools, and after he was a man he was very much interested in matters of reading, so that he gathered a large, and valuable library in his home. He took much pleasure in his library. At his father's death he inherited some land, to which he added until at his own death he owned about 1,000 acres of very valuable land in eastern Illinois. He remained
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at home until after his father's death, which occurred when he was twenty- five years of age. After that he went into partnership with his brother Abra- ham, and this connection continued for many years. Josiah Sandusky became one of the best known stock men in the United States. Stock dealers would come from all parts of the United States and Canada and buy of him. Josiah Sandusky was also one of the leading breeders of fast horses, both running and trotting stock. Mr. Sandusky married Miss Margaret Moreland, a native of Bourbon County, Ky. Mr. Sandusky was the father of five children, all of whom lived to have families of their own, except the oldest, who died in infancy. Mr. Sandusky died February 13, 1901, and was buried in the San- dusky cemetery in Carroll township.
William Cunningham was an extensive stock raiser of Newell township and was born December 15, 1838, in the same township. He was the son of James and Mary (Andrews) Cunningham. He was the third child in a family of four children. He lived at home on the farm until he was about eighteen years old, when he went to Nebraska, where the breaking of prairie sod was not as exciting as he had thought, so he went on to California. He started from Nebraska to Pike's Peak, in 1859, and from there went on overland to California. Here he mined and farmed, meeting with varying degrees of suc- cess for four years, and at the end of that time he returned to Illinois with $1,200 in his pocket. With this he bought his father's farm and made other investments. He has added to this land from time to time. He married Miss Chandler in 1865, and they became the parents of seven living children. Mr. Cunningham secured a farm of large proportions worth at least $70 an acre. He has made much money in buying and shipping live stock to Chicago. He, has always found pleasure in raising a fine breed of horses, and he was ever a good judge of that animal.
William Hester was born in Vermilion County May 17, 1838. His father was Thomas Hester, who came from North Carolina, settling in Vermilion County in March, 1838. Thomas Hester was attracted to this section of the country, doubtless by reason of the many members of the Society of Friends who lived here at that time. William finished his education, as did so many of the young people of that society, in Bloomingdale Academy, under the in- struction of Prof. Hobbs. William Hester taught school two winters, witlı which exception he has been a farmer all his life. Mr. Hester married Miss Marie Mills in 1860. Her father was Ira Mills, who came to Vermilion County in 1821. She became the mother of two children, one only of whom is living. She died January 19, 1863. Mr. Hester married Miss Rachel Stafford, of Vermilion Grove, for liis second wife, in 1867, and she was the mother of three children, only two of whom are living. His second wife died, and Mr. Hester was married to Miss Martha Hawkins, of Coles County, in 1887. Mr. Hester made a specialty of fine bred swine and short-horn cattle, as well as keeping sheep and graded horses.
Samuel Blair, the youngest of a family of seven children, was born in New- ell township December 5, 1838. He married Mill Mary M. Casart, daughter of Peter and Mary Casart, who came to Vermilion County from Kentucky. Mr. Blair owns a large farm, which he improved and made a specialty of
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short-horn cattle. His place was always noted for the fine shade trees, which, it is said, were noticed, and furnished shade for all travelers from Chicago to Cairo in the early times. They were an oasis on the bleak prairies. Mr. Blair would carry produce to Chicago when he was a young man to market. Mr. Blair has always been found to be a public-spirited man. Charles T. Caraway was born in Catlin township October 22, 1838. After his youth had been passed on the farm, just as he was choosing and making ready for his life work, the Civil war broke out and he enlisted in the service of his country. His regiment was the Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and he saw many battles. At the battle of Mission Ridge he was severely wounded in the left leg and was kept in the hospital for nine months where he suffered greatly. General Rosecrans put his name on the roll of honor together with those of some of his companions, on account of bravery and daring in that engagement Shortly after the close of the war Mr. Caraway married Miss Jennie Dougherty. She was the daughter of William Dougherty, who came to Vermilion County from Ohio.
William J. Davis was born in Danville August 1, 1838. His father was James A. Davis, who was the first school teacher in Danville. William Davis is the oldest of five children. He went to school to his father in Newell town- ship, and afterward went to the schools of Danville until he was nineteen years old, when he went as a clerk into the store of V. & P. LeSeure, where he remained a year. He was next in the employ of W. R. Gessie for six months, and then was appointed deputy county clerk under J. C. Short, serving for four years. At that time he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- fifth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. William Fellows and Col. Harmon. When he had served four months he was ordered home because of sickness from exposure. He could not leave his home for a year after that on account of his condition. When he had recovered he was appointed as deputy in the office of the circuit clerk who had been county recorder when Mr. Davis en- listed. He was in the office of the circuit clerk for four years, and at the end of that time he went into the abstract business for five years, after which he was interested in real estate. Mr. Davis has been retired for some time, being in poor health. Mr. Davis married Miss Baker in 1863. They were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter. Their oldest son died at the age of eighteen.
Perry Frazier was born in Georgetown November 13, 1838. His parents were Abner and Mary (Millican) Frazier. While but a young man, Perry Frazier took charge of the management of his father's farm. During the first year he had charge he raised fifty head of hogs, that being at that time an unheard-of thing to do. He married Miss Eliza J. P. Patty when he became twenty-one and then rented his father's farm until he was obliged to leave this part of the country on account of his wife's poor health. The change did not help her, however, and in two years she died in Missouri. When he re- turned to Georgetown, Mr. Frazier again rented his father's farm, on which he lived for fourteen years. Meanwhile he married Miss Mary J. Moore, a daughter of John and Hannah Moore, who lived near Georgetown. Mrs. Fra- zier lived until 1901. After her death Mr. Frazier moved to Georgetown.
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E. J. Draper, more familiarly known as "Ed" Draper, was born in Ver- milion County in 1839. His father was Jonathan Draper. When the son was five years old the family moved back to Vermont, where he spent his youth, living there until he was nineteen years old, going to school at Bennington. He came west in 1857, stopping a while at Sydney. From that time until poor health compelled him to retire, he was in some way or other interested in the life of a merchant. He enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Capt. Fellows and Col. Harmon in command. This regiment saw hard service. When Mr. Draper returned from the war he found employment in the office of J. C. Short, county clerk. After he went into the grocery business in Danville, Mr. Draper was for eight years located on west Main street, but later went on Vermilion street. He remained in that location many years, and the city missed his store when his health no longer permitted him to carry on the trade. Mr. Draper was one of the merchants upon whom a community could depend, and his going from the ranks of mer- cantile interests was indeed a loss to the city. Mr. Draper was ill for a long time and died in 1810. He married Miss Angeline Probst. She was a woman of unusual helpfulness of nature, and their friends were legion. Mrs. Draper is very much loved by the community, where she has been such a friend in time of trouble. Mr. and Mrs. Draper were active in their work in the Kim- ber Methodist church, where they held membership from its organization.
Henry Fletcher and his wife were both born in Vermilion County. He was born at Vermilion Grove October 28, 1839. His father was John Fletcher, a consistent member of the Society of Friends. Henry had a good common school training, and afterward was under the instruction of Prof. Hobbs in Bloomingdale Academy. In 1861 Mr. Fletcher married Mahala Haworth, the daughter of Eli Haworth, one of the early settlers. She was born in George- town October 15, 1842. She became the mother of eight children, six of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Fletcher developed a fine farm. He always was an influential member of the Society of Friends, and was connected with the order of Modern Woodmen.
John W. Fisher is the brother of Michael Fisher, and his younger days were spent in very much the same way as was his brother. He was born in Carroll township. He married Miss Mary L. Dye in 1861. He later moved to Kansas, but tired of the country, and came back to Vermilion County, where he rented a farm of his father, and afterward bought land on which he raised stock and sold it in the city markets. Mr. John Fisher was the father of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Presbyterian church, and well esteemed.
Priscilla (McCarty) Black was born near Muncie, Illinois. She was the daughter of John McCarty, who came to Oakwood township from Ohio a short time before her birth. She became the wife of Samuel Black in 1858. She was the mother of nine children.
Harrison Fairchild was born in Blount township on Christmas day, 1840. He was one of a large family of children of Daniel Fairchild. All of these children went to a subscription school while they were small and then went to Danville to the Danville Seminary. Harrison was at school there at the out-
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break of the Civil war and he left his studies to enlist in Company B, Twenty- fifth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Walls. That regiment saw some hard serv- ice, and in the battle of Chickamauga Mr. Fairchild was wounded in the leg. He was afterward in the charge of Missionary Ridge, when he was wounded in the arm by a piece of shell. He received his discharge at Springfield Sep- tember 5, 1864. When Mr. Fairchild returned to Blount township he farmed near the old homestead. In 1865 Mr. Fairchild married Miss Lannam, who was a daughter of this county. Their family of thirteen children all grew to useful manhood and womanhood but one. One of their sons is a preacher, and so also is one of the sons-in-law. Mrs. Fairchild died in about 1905, and Mr. Fairchild married Miss Fannie Smith, the daughter of one of the early settlers. Mr. Harrison Fairchild has always been a prominent member of the First Methodist church.
Nathaniel R. Fairchild was born at the home place August 15, 1843. He had a twin brother named Daniel who died in the army. Mr. Fairchild mar- ried, in 1869, Miss Elizabeth Fitzgerald, and she died in 1874. She was the mother of three children. He then married Mrs. Sarah Dove, who was born in Vermilion County June 1I, 1842. Mr. Fairchild's entire life has been spent in Vermilion County.
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